Same-Sex Marriages can rock societal values: Centre

Central idea: The Centre in the Supreme Court expressed its disagreement towards same-sex marriage, citing traditional beliefs and values. Here are the main points of the affidavit: Heterosexual marriage has been the norm throughout history and is “foundational to both the existence and continuance of the state.” Marriage in India is regarded as a “holy… Continue reading

States demand that ‘Lightning’ be declared a Natural Disaster

Central idea: A few states have requested lightning to be declared a natural disaster due to the high number of deaths caused by it in the country. Why discuss this? Around 2,500 people die every year due to lightning. Present norms consider cyclones, droughts, earthquakes, fires, floods, tsunamis, hailstorms, landslides, avalanches, cloudbursts, pest attacks, frost,… Continue reading

Bhutan no longer a ‘Least Developed Country’

Central idea: Bhutan will become the seventh country to graduate from the United Nations’ list of Least Developed Countries (LDC) on December 13, 2023. What is a Least Developed Country (LDC)? The LDCs are developing countries listed by the UN that exhibit the lowest indicators of socioeconomic development. The concept first originated in the late… Continue reading

Bengal is tackling fatal Adenovirus Infection

Central idea: 19 children below the age of five years have died in State-run institutions due to acute respiratory infection (ARI) caused by Adenovirus. What is Adenovirus Infection? Adenoviruses are common viruses that typically cause mild cold or flu-like illness and are usually spread from an infected person to others by close personal contact The… Continue reading

Sickle Cell Anaemia screening meets only 1% of target

Central idea: The Health Ministry of India set a target to scan one crore people for sickle cell disease in 2022-23. However, with only two weeks left in the fiscal year, the Ministry has completed only 1% of the target. What is Sickle Cell Anaemia? Sickle Cell Anaemia is a genetic blood disorder that affects… Continue reading

Scientists devise ‘Glowscope’ to bring fluorescent microscopy to schools

Central idea: Researchers at Winona State University, Minnesota, have created a design for a rudimentary fluorescence microscope. Why in news? The development can be put together at a cost of $30-50 (Rs 2,500-4,100) using products purchased on online marketplaces. The device aims to democratize access to fluorescence microscopy. What is Fluorescence Microscopy? An optical microscope… Continue reading

Government amends KYC to add non-profit organisations, ‘politically exposed persons’

Central idea: The Finance Ministry has amended the Prevention of Money Laundering (Maintenance of Records) Rules for widening the scope of Know your Customer (KYC) norms to include Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs), non-profit organisations (NPOs) and those dealing in virtual digital assets (VDA) as reporting entities. Who are Politically Exposed Persons (PEP)? According to the… Continue reading

ISRO releases Landslide Atlas of India

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) recently released the Landslide Atlas of India to identify landslide hotspots in the country. What are Landslides? Landslides are natural disasters that occur in mountainous terrains where soil, rock, geology, and slope conditions are conducive. A landslide is the sudden movement of rock, boulders, earth, or debris down a… Continue reading

In news: Megha Tropiques Satellite

ISRO attempted a controlled re-entry of the Megha Tropiques-1 satellite with leftover fuel to lower the orbit and reduce space debris. Megha Tropiques Satellite The weather satellite Megha Tropiques-1 was developed as a joint mission by Indian and French space agencies. It was launched aboard a PSLV by the space agency in 2011. And, although… Continue reading

What is Digital India Act, 2023?

The Union government has formally outlined the Digital India Act, 2023 which is a broad overhaul of the decades-old Information Technology Act, 2000. Central idea: Reconsideration of Safe Harbour The government is reconsidering a key aspect of cyberspace — ‘safe harbour’. Safe harbour is the principle that so-called ‘intermediaries’ on the internet are not responsible… Continue reading

NASA’s IBEX spacecraft to study Edge of Solar System

NASA has announced that its Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) spacecraft is fully operational after the mission team successfully reset it. Edge of Solar System: Heliopause The edge of the Solar System, also known as the heliopause, is the point where the solar wind from the Sun meets the interstellar medium. Here are some key points… Continue reading

Meeting India’s ‘Carbon Sink’ target

Central idea: India’s commitment to reduce its carbon emissions and increase its carbon sink as part of the Paris Climate Agreement. The Agreement is a legally binding international treaty signed by 196 parties, including India, to limit global warming to well below 2°C. What is a carbon sink? A carbon sink is a natural or… Continue reading

Money Laundering laws will now cover Cryptocurrency Trade

The government has imposed the Prevention of Money-laundering Act, 2002 on cryptocurrencies or virtual assets as it looks to tighten oversight of digital assets. Central idea: The Prevention of Money-laundering Act, 2002, now covers various financial activities related to virtual digital assets, including exchanges between fiat currencies and digital assets, transfer and storage of digital… Continue reading

Moon to get its own Time Zone

The European Space Agency is planning a universal timekeeping system for the moon. Timekeeping on the Moon The Moon has its own day and night cycle, which lasts about 29.5 Earth days. This means that if humans were to live on the Moon, they would need to develop their own timekeeping system. Currently, the time… Continue reading

ONDC will help small retail survive against large E-Com firms: Union Minister

Central idea: The article discusses the Indian government’s plan to launch the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) to support small retailers and businesses against large tech-based e-commerce firms. About ONDC The ONDC is a private non-profit Section 8 company established by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) of the Government… Continue reading

India to send 20,000 MT of wheat to Afghanistan via Chabahar

Central idea: The article discusses India’s plan to send 20,000 metric tonnes of wheat to Afghanistan through the Chabahar port in Iran. Why in new? Last year, the Indian side announced its partnership with UNWFP (UN World Food Programme) for the delivery of 20,000 MTs of wheat for Afghan people through the Chabahar Port. UN… Continue reading

UNEP pitches for Global Greenhouse Gas Monitoring Infrastructure

Central idea: The article discusses the United Nations’ development of a new system for tracking greenhouse gas emissions. Greenhouse Gases Greenhouse gases are gases that trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere and contribute to the greenhouse effect. Examples of greenhouse gases include- Water vapor (H2O) Carbon dioxide (CO2) Methane (CH4) Nitrous oxide (N2O) Fluorinated gases,… Continue reading

Real Time Train Information System (RTIS) Project

The article discusses the partnership between Indian Railways and ISRO for real-time train tracking. Real Time Train Information System (RTIS) Project Indian Railways has signed a MoU with the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) to use satellite-based technology for real-time train tracking. The technology will be used to provide real-time information on the exact location… Continue reading

India pitches for International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)

India has proposed to launch International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) to protect big cats and assured support over five years with guaranteed funding of $100 million. International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) It is a proposed mega-global alliance that will work toward the protection and conservation of the seven major big cats — tiger, lion, leopard,… Continue reading

Explained: Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Treaty

For the first time, United Nations members have agreed for an early conclusion of the International Legally Binding Instrument of BBNJ under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Background The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea was established in 1994 before marine biodiversity became a well-established concept An… Continue reading

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